Corona Virus - Infectious Control Statement

***COVID-19 UPDATE 3/30/20***

Dear Residents, Families, Friends, and Staff:

As you all know, the positive cases for COVID-19 continue to multiply throughout Michigan and the entire US, Canada, and most other parts of the world. We are hearing reports of hundreds of cases in Michigan hospitals – particularly southeast Michigan – which is placing great demands on our healthcare systems.

These are unprecedented times for us all; as citizens, as families, and certainly as healthcare providers. This virus does not discriminate. It is affecting young and old, male and female. Because of the ease of transmission, it is spreading throughout our cities and towns and, based on available guidance, every county in Michigan may be impacted to some extent.

We have taken numerous steps to prepare our skilled nursing centers for the COVID-19 epidemic in Michigan.

Please know that our talented and dedicated team members are working very hard to try to prevent the introduction and spread of COVID-19 in our skilled nursing centers. Nurses train for these types of scenarios in nursing school, nursing assistants train for this in nurse aid school, and we, as health care providers, educate our team members in all departments as to key infection control and other policies on a regular basis.

We are learning about new developments and best practices related to COVID-19 almost daily through direct communication from state and federal agencies and other healthcare- related associations and organizations. Reducing new cases and the health impacts of those infected are particularly challenging because individuals with no signs or symptoms may be carriers and transfer the virus without knowing it. Additionally, older individuals appear to be at higher risk of complications from COVID-19 if infected.

Please understand that while we cannot promise or guaranty that this disease will not make its way into our facilities, we are actively engaged in assessing and implementing appropriate action under available guidance to try to prevent that. We have systems and processes in place to rapidly implement new guidelines and best practices from state and federal agencies, healthcare organizations, and other appropriate sources. Among other steps, we have plans in place to isolate any patients or residents exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms while we wait for their test results. If a patient or resident tests positive for COVID-19, that individual will remain in the isolation area of the facility the entire time they are being treated for COVID-19.

In the event of a COVID-19 infection, we will be communicating directly with families/representatives of patients as we have them in our records. Due to state and federal privacy regulations applicable to patient medical information, we will not be able to communicate with anyone that is not listed as the patient representative. If you have extended family and friends seeking updates, they will need to coordinate their questions through the designated representative.

Many of you have been keeping in touch and updated through our Facebook posts. Please know that words cannot express how touched and humbled we are by your encouraging and supportive comments. We will continue to use Facebook to share inspirational and uplifting stories taking place in our facilities. However, we will not be using Facebook to communicate updates on specific COVID-19 developments, nor will we be responding to posts asking questions or making comments about COVID-19. Again, that communication will come directly from us only to specified patient representatives.

Until our next update, please stay safe and healthy. And please, for the safety of everyone working and living in our facilities, follow the governor’s order to shelter in place. On behalf of our dedicated team of caregivers and support staff, we would like to remind all of our families and friends, “We go to work for you, please stay home for us.”

The Peplinski Group

**UPDATED 3/14/20**

Dear Residents/Families/Friends/Staff:

Per the most recent mandates from State and Federal governmental agencies, we are hereby forced to enact a strict NO VISITATION policy at our locations. The mandate allows only for the exception of end-of-life scenarios, and even then, strict procedures and limitations on the number of visitors will be followed per the mandate.

Please remember that we have activated “Skype Stations” at each location to facilitate video chats with your loved ones. Please call the facility ahead of time to arrange a reservation based on the needs of others.

We greatly appreciate your continued cooperation in the interest of the safety of our patients/residents/staff. Your comments and feedback of support and understanding have been very meaningful to us all.

Thank you from your family of caregivers at The Peplinski Group

3/11/20

Dear Peplinski Group Residents, Families, Visitors, and Staff:

You have certainly been following reports on the news regarding the current spread of COVID19 – aka coronavirus. We wanted to let you know that at our Peplinski Group facilities, we are acting now and have reviewed our infection prevention and control policies and procedures, as this is key to preventing coronavirus and other common viruses. We are ensuring that our staff and residents are practicing proper hand hygiene. It’s critical that we remind all employees who are sick to stay home. Also, per Federal guidelines, we are asking all family members and volunteers to avoid non-essential visits to our Peplinski Group facilities for the time being. We are in very close communication with local and state health officials to ensure we are taking the appropriate steps.

PLEASE CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING:

Resident safety is a top priority. Every resident and family should have a clean, safe living environment. We agree that the spread of this novel virus is a critical issue that requires attention. Our goal is to try and keep the virus out and if it is found in the center, to minimize the spread to anyone else.

We remain in close contact with our local and state health departments, as well as the CDC, to stay up to date on the information to prevent and manage the spread of Coronavirus.

We rely on local, state and federal resources to help prevent the spread of this virus, and we appreciate everything they’re doing at this time.

We have reviewed and updated our infection prevention and control plans and our emergency communication plan.

We have reinforced to our staff that anyone who is sick should stay home.

We are following the same infection prevention procedures used during flu season: handwashing, using alcohol-based hand sanitizers, covering coughs, and disinfecting the environment.

We need to make sure family members have given us the most current emergency contact information, so we can continue to keep them informed should there be any new developments.

Per Federal guidelines, we are asking non-essential visitors, including family members, contractors, and volunteers, to avoid visiting our facilities for the time being. As an alternative, loved ones can communicate with residents by using video chat, calling, texting, or checking in on social media.

To facilitate “virtual visits,” each of our locations are immediately setting up “Skype Stations.” This will allow family and friends access to a video call with their individual residents. These Skype Stations will be somewhat portable, but please understand that we cannot guarantee the location will be 100% private. Please conduct your conversations accordingly and avoid discussing sensitive health or financial topics. In the event that you do need absolute privacy, we can make arrangements on an individual basis in a private setting. Please make sure that you notify our staff at the time of the video call if you desire absolute privacy.

We will be providing further communication as it becomes necessary or available.